The 2019 Grand National Roadster Show was a twirling kaleidoscope of sheet metal, candy flake paint, personalities, and ruthless ambition.

The main hall is a battleground for very wealthy guys to spend a million dollars to win a $10,000 prize and get their name etched on the AMBR trophy ’til the end of time.

We have always contended that custom car artistry comes in many guises. There might be a lesser known automotive DaVinci toiling away in his garage somewhere in America and after countless hours, an amazing build appears at an event, far away from the big time attractions.

That’s why us folks here at Rod Authority always search the perimeter of a big name car show as many times,  that’s where some of the coolest work shows up.

When we headed over to the Suede Palace at GNRS, we walked in and were knocked out by a little blue 1954 Chevy 210.

Roger Miret, of Scottsdale, Arizona, best known as lead singer for punk rock act Agnostic Front, brought his 1954 Chevrolet 210 Custom and lordy bagordy, was it a dandy. Built in traditional ’50s custom style and dubbed  “Morphine,” it was a joint effort of the Phoenix Rumblers Car Club with Roger and metal man Mike Lewis emceeing the build.

The car has numerous sheet metal mods including ’55 Chevy headlight “eyelids,” ’56 Chrysler tail lights, custom skirts, and multiple top chops to achieve perfect proportions. Mike Lewis handled all the metal fab and his work is top notch to say the least.

A meticulous, Watson-esque panel paint scheme with flames by Eric Rowland killed. All that combined with an in-the-weeds-stance, wide whites and Sombreros, made for an indelible impression.

The Stovebolt 235 six-cylinder engine sports a Wayne head, dual Strombergs and helmet air cleaners provides period correct motivation.

Brian Willingham stitched the two-tone interior (and the matching slippers) and Ron Hernandez handled the pinstriping.

Dig the matching slippers

When the smoke cleared, the ’54 Chevy left the Suede Palace with a Best Custom win in addition to a Top 100 nod. Congrats to all the guys that brought “Morphine” to life.

Roger Miret with award, congrats!

Lastly, custom cars are art on four wheels and anyone with an eye for clean lines can see similar beauty in architecture as well. Not only does Roger have a bitchin’ ride, check out his fantastic mid-century modern home that he and his wife Emily have restored.

According to Modern Phoenix, “Roger and Emily are the ultimate do-it-yourselfers who aren’t afraid of a little elbow grease. They re-designed and polished up this once neglected Art and Charles Schreiber house back into the mid-century modern gem it was meant to be, but with today’s finishes.

“They have traveled the world, and created a unique home filled with their treasures. They expanded a craft room into a fantastic guest quarters that also doubles as a mother-in-law suite. The layout was improved for a more spacious, family friendly flow.

“Their home was designed to be a sanctuary for the family to recharge and be surrounded by love and memories. Vintage ads for the original Trail West development and its ‘space age’ homes were on display.”

Go here for full house tour.

Some guys have all the luck. We say the-more-the-merrier and give a shout out to Roger, Emily, and their cast of artisans for bringing old school art back to life, regardless of the palette.